Sonic method and apparatus for driving a casing utilizing reaming techniques



3 S'iee'cs--Sheel l 5 r 2 z M M All!! NEPA I nvu um W ALBERT e. BOD|NE ,'IE.

ATTORNEY May Z1, 1968 A. G. BOBINE, JR

SONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING A CASING UTILIZING REAMING TECHNIQUES Filed Sept. l5, 1965 BY @@m May 21, 1968 A. G. BOBINE, JR 3,384,188

SONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING A CASING UTILIZING REAMING TECHNIQUES Filed Sept. 13, 1965 3 Sheets-Shea?l Z INVENTOR. ALBERT Gr. BOBINE,

ATTORNEY May 21, 1968 A. G. BOBINE. JR 3,384,188

soNIc METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING A cAsING UTILIZING REAMING TECHNIQUES Filed Sept. 13, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 "ZF-Ill- IE- //c INVENTOR.

ALBERT Gr. BODINE,JE.

BY I d cwm/ ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,384,188 SONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING A CASING UTILIZING REAMING TECHNIQUES Albert G. Bodne, Jr., 7877 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, Calif. 91406 Filed Sept. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 486,991 Claims. (Cl. 17555) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lead or pilot hole is cored out, and an open ended -tube or casing which has a Wider diameter than the lead hole is placed on the e-arthen material which forms a shoulder around the lead hole. The casing is t-hen sonically vibrated to set up a cyclic stress pattern in the earthen shoulder, whereby the earthen material surrounding the shoulder is imploded into the lead hole with the shoulder rapidly giving way, thus facilitating the driving of the casing into the formation.

This invention relates to ya sonic method and apparatus for driving a casing utilizing reaming techniques, and more particularly to such a method and apparatus in which a smaller lead or pilot hole is first made and then a larger diametered casing is sonically driven to widen this hole.

In driving tubular open ended members through hard formations, as in making wells, mines, tunnels and the like, considerable time and effort is required to wear away the earthen formati-ons. Such operations can be greatly facilitated by utilizing sonic energy which is coupled to the casing as described, for example, in my Patent #2,975,- 846. In driving even moderately sized casings through relatively hard formations, it is often difiicult to make good progress utilizing methods and apparatus of the prior art, even where relatively efficient sonic techniques are employed.

The method and apparatus of this invention provide means for greatly facilitating the sonic driving of casings wherein a lead or pilot hole is first cored out and the open ended tube or casing, which has a wider diameter than the lead hole, is placed on the earthen formation forming a shoulder around such lead hole, and sonically vibrated. The s-onic vibration sets up a cyclic stress pattern in the earthen shoulder, causing the earthen material to be imploded into the lead hole with the shoulder rapidly giving way.

The lead hole can be efiiciently made by means of a unique coring tool which utilizes sonic energy in its implementation and which is suspended on a cable to facilitate its utilization at great distances below the surface. Such co-ring tool is adapted to :retain the cored earthen material so that it can readily be extracted.

It is therefore an object of this invention to facilitate the sonic driving of tubular casings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved method fo-r driving casings through hard earthen formations.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a sonic method and apparatus for driving casings having higher efficiency than prior art methods and apparatus.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide au improved coring tool.

lt is still another object of this invention to lessen the time and effort required to drive casings through hard earthen formations.

Other objects of -this invention will become lapparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the coring tool of the device of the inven- 3,384,188 Patented May 2l, 1968 rice tion as utilized in carrying out the method of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the driving of a casing in carrying out the method of the invention,

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are successive elevational views Ipartially in cross section, progressively illustrating the various portions of the preferred embodiment of the coring tool of the device of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view as taken along the plane indicated by 6-6 in FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view as taken along the plane indicated by 7-7 in FIG. 3.

It has been found most helpful in analyzing the operation of the device of the invention to analogize the acoustically vibrating circuit involved to an equivalent electrical circuit. This so-rt of analogy is well known to those skilled in the art and is described, for example, in chapter 2 of Sonics by Hueter and Bolt, published in 1955 by John Wiley and Sons. In making such an analogy, force, F, is equated with electrical voltage, E; velocity of vibration, u, is equated with electrica-l current, mechanical compliance, Cm, is equated with electrical capacitance, Ce; mass, M, is equated with electrical inductance, L; mechanical resistance (friction), Rm, is equated with electrical resistance, R; and mechanical impedance, Zm, is equaated with electrical impedance, Ze. Thus, it can be shown that if a member is elastically vibrated by means of an acoustical sinusoidal force, F0 sin wt (w being equal to 21r times the frequency of vibration), that 1 F0 Sin dt Z, R,+, ..Mw0m u (l) Where mM is equal to l/wCm, a resonant condition exists, and the effective mechanical impedance, Zm, is equal to the mechanical resistance, Rm, the reactive impedance components wM and l/wCnl cancelling each other out. Under such a resonant condition, velocity of vibration, u, is at a maximum, power factor is unity, and energy is most efficiently delivered to a load to which the resonant system may be coupled.

Just as in electrical circuitry, maximum acoustical energy can be transferred where a good impedance match exists, i.e., where the two elements between which the energy transfer occurs have like impedances. This fact becomes particularly significant in the device and method of this invention in the transfer of energy from the driving end of the casing to the earthen formation in effecting the teaming operation. Thus, in view of the high impedance characteristics of earthen formations, ift is desirable that the driving end of the casing exhibit high impedance characteristics to assure maximum transfer of energy in imploding the formation.

It is also important to note the significance of the attainment of high acoustical Q in the casing member being driven, to increase the efficiency of the vibration thereof and to provide a maximum amount of energy for the reaming operation. As for an equivalent electrical circuit, the Q` of an acoustically vibrating circuit is defined as the sharpness of resonance thereof and is indicative of the ratio of the energy stored in each vibration cycle to the energy used in each such cycle. Q is mathematically equated to the ratio between wM and wRm. Thus, the effective Q of the Vibrating circuit can be maximized to make for highly efficient, high amplitude vibration by minimizing the effect of friction in the circuit and/ or maximizing the effect of mass in such circuit.

In considering the significance of the parameters described in connection with Equation 1, it should be kept in mind that the total effective resistance, mass, and compliance in the acoustically vibrating circuit are represented in the equation and that these parameters may be distributed throughout the system rather than being lumped in any one component or portion thereof.

Wirth these various factors in mind, let us now refer to FIGS. l and 2 which illustrate the method of the invention. Coring tool 11, which will be described fully in connection with FIGS. 3-7 further on in the specification, is utilized to make a lead or pilot hole 14, by virtue of the sonic vibration thereof by means of a sonic oscillator mounted within upper portion 11b of the tool. Such sonic vibration causes the end 11a of the coring tool to drive into earthen formation 18. As such driving is accomplished, the inner portion of coring tool 11 iills with earthen material 20. An aperture 19 is provided in the Wall of the lower portion 11C of the coring tool, to permit the escape of any gas that may be trapped in such lower portion. The entire coring tool is suspended from above by means of cable 21.

As illustrated in FIG. l, coring tool 11 is being utilized to make a second lead hole, an initial lead hole having been made down to earthen shoulder portion 22 and casing 25 having been sonically driven down to this point. Coring tool 11, is thus shown making a lead hole 14, preceding a second casing driving operation. Coring tool 11 is shown at its maximum penetration with lower portion 11o iilled with earthen material. When this position has been reached, the coring tool is extracted from the earth by means of cable 21, carrying with it the earthen material contained therein. Earthen material 20 is prevented from falling out of lower coring tool portion 11e as the coring tool is extracted by means of ledge 27, formed in the inner wall of the tool.

As shown in FIG. 2, coring tool 11 has been fully extracted, leaving lead hole 14, with the bottom end of casing resting on shoulder portion 22 formed in the earthen formation above the lead hole. It is to be noted, of course, that in order to achieve the desired end results it is necessary that coring tool 11 have a smaller diameter than that of casing 25. With the end of casing 25 resting on shoulder 22, the casing is sonically vibrated longitudinally by means of orbiting mass oscillator which includes eccentric rotors 31 rotatably driven by shafts 32. This orbiting mass oscillator is rotated at a frequency in the sonic frequency range to provide longitudinal acoustic vibration of casing Z5. The frequency of such vibration is preferably such as to cause resonant vibration of casing 25 to assure maximum utilization of the available energy. Standing waves are set up in casing 25 in a manner so as to provide a high impedance at the end of the casing which rests on shoulder 22, to provide optimum energy transfer from the casing to earthen formation 18. This produces substantial elastic vibration in the portions of this formation surrounding the shoulder. The inner surface of lead hole 14 immediately below the shoulder provides a sonic elastic pressure release region so that the earthen material therearound rapidly gives way under the stress caused by the sonic energy. The inside Wall of the lead hole 14 is thereby imploded and shoulder 22 thus rapidly gives way under the sonic action.

'It has been found that the use of sonic techniques in performing the coring operation to make the lead hole enables more rapid subsequent driving of the casing. This is apparently by virtue of the fatigue produced in the formation making up the shoulder by the sonic energy utilized in coring.

Coring tool 11 not only is useful in making the lead hole but also picks up the debris in the bore caused by the reaming or imploding action of the sonically driven casing. Coring tool 11 can be removed and placed back into `the bore rapidly by means of wire line 21 and thus can be used to make rather long lead holes ahead of casing 25. In driving large diameter casings, such as in mines or tunnels, the lead hole can be fairly short without any sacrifice of efficiency because the lead hole cuttings under such conditions are easily mucked out of the bore.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, a preferred embodiment of the coring tool of the invention is illustrated. FIGS. 3-5 show successive adjacent portions of the tool as going from the top portion to the bottom portion thereof. The tool is suspended from above on cable 21. Cable 21 is attached to pin member 40, which in turn is iixedly attached to linkage assembly 42. Linkage assembly 42 has a neoprene isolator member 43 contained within the casing 45 thereof. Slidably mounted in casing 45 above isolator member 43 is piston member 44, which is iixedly attached to U-shaped bar member 47 by means of pin 48. U-shaped bar 47 is joined to the upper portion 11b of the coring tool by means of link members 50 and 51. Thus, vibrational isolation is provided between suspension cable 21 and the coring tool by means of linkage assembly 42, with piston member 44 suspending the tool on resilient isolator member 43. The linkage assembly and the adjacent components are covered by protective boot 46.

Electrical power is provided to drive motor by means of electrical lines 56 and 57. Electric .motor 55 is mounted within the casing 60 on an isolator sleeve 62, which may be fabricated of neoprene. Additional vibrational isolation for motor 55 is provided by neoprene isolator 65. The output shaft 59 of motor 55 drives bevel gear 67 which in turn drives bevel gear 69. Bevel gear 69 is attached to shaft 70 which in turn is rotatably mounted in casing 60. Also attached to shaft 70 is drive gear 71, which rotatably drives the gear train including gears 73, 74 and 76. Each -of gears 73, 74 and 76 is iixedly attached to a shaft 77, 78 and 79 respectively, which in turn are rotatably mounted in casing 60. Fixedly attached to shafts 78 and 79 by means of bolts 80 are eccentric rotor members 83 and 84 respectively. Rotor members 83 and 84 are synchronously driven on their associated shafts to provide a vibration along the longitudinal axis of casing 60 at a frequency determined by the rotation speed of drive shaft 59 of motor 55. Thus, vibrational energy is imparted to casing 60 along its longitudinal axis. Two or more additional rotor members (not shown), similar to rotor members 83 and 84, driven by a gear train located between gears 74 and 76 are preferably utilized to provide the necessary high vibrational input.

Upper coring tool portion 11b is joined to lower coring tool portion 11C by means of solid metal block 86, which is attached to both the upper and lower tool portions by means of bolts 88. The vibrational energy is transferred from upper coring tool portion 11b to lower coring tool portion 11C where it is utilized as described in connection with FIG. l to core out a hole.

It is to be noted that the orbiting mass oscillator formed by rotors 83 and 84 and other similar units (not shown) should be made to rotate at a speed which will produce resonant vibration of the coring tool to achieve maximum eiciency of the vibrating system. Under such a situation, standing waves are set up in the casing of the coring tool with maximum energy being delivered to the driving end 11a thereof. The orbiting mass oscillator will tend to automatically adjust this rotation frequency to lock in at the resonant vibration frequency of the tool, thus maintaining resonance with variations in the resonant vibration frequency as might be caused by changes in load conditions and system parameters.

The method and apparatus of this invention thus provides means for more eiiiciently driving casings through hard earth formations. A coring tool is provided which can be used to efficiently and rapidly make a lead hole with a casing then being sonically driven against the shoulder formed above this lead hole to implode the sur- Y rounding earthen material.

While the method and apparatus of this invention have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation,

the spirit and scope of this invention being limited only by the terms of the following claims.

I claim: 1, A method for driving a casing through an earthen formation comprising coring out a lead hole in said formation having a diameter smaller than that of the casing, placing one end of the casing on the shoulder formed in the formation above the cored hole with the casing substantially in concentricity with the hole, and sonically vibrating the casing to cause the end thereof resting on said shoulder to elastically vibrate the earthen material surrounding such shoulder whereby the earthen material surrounding said hole is imploded. 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said lead hole is made by sonically coring the earthen formation.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said casing is resonantly vibrated along its longitudinal axis by an orbiting mass oscillator.

4. A method for driving a casing through an earthen formation comprising sonically making a lead hole having a diameter smaller than that of the casing, placing one end of the casing on the shoulder formed above the hole with the casing substantially in concentrieity with the hole,

and sonically vibrating the casing to cause the end thereof resting on said shoulder to elastically vibrate the earthen material surrounding such shoulder whereby the earthen material surrounding said hole is imploded.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein said lead hole is made by sonically driving a coring tool into said formation and lifting said tool out of said formation, said tool retaining the cored earthen material in its inner portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,398,512 4/1946 Berry 175-171 X 3,023,820 3/1962 Desvaux et al 175-171 X 3,054,463 9/1962 Bodine 175-19 3,139,146 6/1964 Bodine 175-56 3,169,589 2/1965 Bodine 175--56 X 3,190,378 6/1965 Davey 175-402 X 3,194,326 7/1965 Bodine 175-56 3,216,512 11/1965 Grable 175-171 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

R. E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner. 

